Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1887-03-16
The Jewel that John Found.
BY VINCENT BELL

OhLI 6IIOC IJCCOIy "hCl hllllS NeI2tb
:ame running up the street, painting
md red of face, John Dart, standing
IN the steps talking with two
strangers smiled as she came up, and
said in slightly surprised tones:
"You are late this morning Miss
Velga-something never before
Known"
eyes, sir. an sorry, but l over
slept myself"
"Up late last night-had a. beau,
perhaps?" suggested John, roguishly.
"No, sir" retorted Annie, promptly,
md rather snappishly. for, even
though he was the nephew OF William
Dart. the great shoeman, and the pro-
ypective heir to all his wealth, she con-
'idered he was taking n liberty, especi-
lilly before strangers. Perhaps pretty
and prim little Annie had some other
ieason, too, for resenting his remark.
pretty GIRL" said one OF the strang-
!rs after she had passed.
eyes," assented John, "and about
The neatest, quickest girl ever in the
Tork-room," and then the stranger
5egan talking again very earnestly, as
before Annie came up the steps,
"Well," said John, "of course yoi
may satisfy yourself, but | can tell
you beforehand there is not one of our
girls whom we do not trust. 1t will
lake you about all day, for they live
in all directions from here, if you have
10 search their rooms. AS uncle says
[ must go with you in that case, the
sooner it is over the better for me"
Then they all three went up stairs to
;he girls workroom!
"NilI those who stopped at Dingus'
Iewelry store last night, on the way
home from work, please stand up?"
said John. Over half of them stood
up. while John took down their names
and the numbers Of their rooms, and
The detectives watched each face keen
iy. So far no one was disturbed by q
guilty conscience. After ascertaining
beyond a doubt that all who had
been in the store reported. John an
nounced:
1--WE have received word that a val
liable amount of jewelry was stolen
from this firm last night at about the
hour you were there, therefore suspi-
zion has fallen upon you, and each
girl must allow her room to be search
ed if the goods are not previously
found upon her person"
So the search began. A quiet, trusty
girl, much older than the others, and
who had not been with them the even
ing before, was appointed to conduct
the personal investigation in another
room. One after another left the
workroom to return in few minutes,
declared innocent, until the officers
were satisfied none of the goods were
at the factory.
"Now," said John, wnen the last
girl had returned, will each one of you
give me your keys in turn, for I must
accompany this officer in his search
while the other remains here"
"Not this morning spoke up Anna
Velga, quickly, while the smart detec-
tive felt the jewels in his grasp, SO to
speak, and the reward in his pockets.
John looked surprised-some said he
turned trifle pale as he looked into
Annie's flushed guilty face.
Eyes, of course, this morning" he
answered gravely. "What difference
is it, Miss Annie?'
"None," answered Annie, hastily;
but as John took her key, the detec-
tive, thinking it best to search her
room at once, instead of in her turn,
she burst out crying and seemed so
broken down the remaining officer felt
justified in placing her under arrest.
John had visited Armies room be-
lore, just once, not many evenings be-
lore. He had taken her a book
10 read and a small basket of
fruit, thinking that as neat a way
to begin his courtship as any. He
had thought as he left that evening,
it was the prettiest, brightest little
room he had ever seen, far exceeding
any in his uncle's grand mansion.
He had little thought the next time
he climbed the stairs to room No.
80 would be upon such a painful err
rand He could not believe sweet lit
tie Annie guilty until it was proven,
yet he climbed the steps unwillingly,
and with more unwilling fingers turn
I'd in the lock the key Annie had sur
rendered. When the door was open
he stood for q moment irresolute.
The room seemed the same, yet not
the same either. Where, the evening
he had called pretty japanese
screen had stood, was now q rather
shabby though scrupulously clean lit
lie stove, and thereon a skillet with
ew potatoes left from the mornings
neal; and a dainty bed, with covers
brown back and pillows airing, was
Drawn out where had stood a small
book cabinet he had particularly no.
iced. John treasured himself he was
n the right door by several little ar
5icles on the walls, and while the busy
detective was diving around in Armies
one trunk and the bureau drawers
ookingfo the lost treasure John was
cooking around at this little jewel OF
/ room, a fairys paradise as it SEEM
% him. Across the foot of the bed
Was d. uttlIlIy ulSlGuLeSS, W NC ouI0,
made of cheap muslin and trimmed
n crochet lace, but John did not know
he difference between it and one of
linen trimmed in finest thread.
Two small slippers were set pre-
,isely under the bed and over a
stool by their side was a pair of
ed stockings turned inside out as
though to air. Indeed, am telling
he truth when tell it, that while the
lei ective's back was turned searching
Annie's small dish cupboard, John
quickly stuffed that pair of red stock
ngs IN his coat pocket! Why he did
20 he could never satisfactorily ex
plain. Then, as he sat there on the
ped, looking around upon the tidy
disorder, it came across him what
vas the reason of Annie's confusion
ind distress. for, astute as mankind is
believed to be, he could dim
Y imagine that no little woman as
leat as Annie could endure to have
Ter castle caught in such confusion.
Perhaps, had it been the detective
alone, she would not have cared; and
hen John smiled complacently to
himself. 1t was her neat-fitting dress
md dainty linen collars and always